At least 18 Bangladeshi pilgrims were killed and 16 others were injured in an accident that killed 24 omrah hajj pilgrims and injured around 23 people in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia on Monday, said a Foreign Ministry official on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Shahidul Islam, son of Shariat Ulla in Senbagh from Noakhali district, Mamun Mia, son of Abdul Awal and Russel Molla of Muradnagar in Cumilla district, Mohammad Helal of Noakhali district, Sabuj Hossain of Laxmipur district, Md Asif and Shafatul Islam of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar district, Md Imam Hossain Rony, son of Abdul Latif in Gazipur district, Ruk Mia, son of Kalu Mia of Chandpur district, Gias Hamid of Debidwar in Cumilla district, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, son of Kawsar Mia and Rony, son of Iskandar of Jashore district and Mohammad Hossain of Cox’s Bazar district, Ruhul Amin, Khairul Islam, Tushar Mazumder, Miraz Hossain, Sakib, son of Abdul Awal and Rana Mia.  Previously it was confirmed that 13 Bangladeshis were killed. Later another five Bangladeshi nationals have been identified among the 24 omrah pilgrims who died in the crash, according to information provided by the foreign ministry.   At least 16 Bangladeshi nationals are receiving medical treatments in four different hospitals across the country.   The bus was carrying 47 omrah hajj pilgrims to Makkah and among them thirty-five passengers were Bangladeshi nationals. The accident occurred in Saudi Arabia’s Asir province - around 650 km away from Jeddah - at around 4:00 PM on Monday. According to media reports, the bus collided with a bridge following a brake failure, overturned and burst into flames. Hospital authorities said that it is very difficult to determine the nationality due to the burning and disfiguring of the bodies. Two officers of the Bangladesh Consulate General, Jeddah visited the area immediately after the incident and are trying to identify the victims and contact their family members in Bangladesh, according to a press release sent from Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its heartfelt condolences to the relatives of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and remains connected with the wounded and hospitalized and is working for the early repatriation of the dead. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said the number of Bangladeshi nationals who died in the crash could rise as many of the wounded -- who are receiving medical treatment in different hospitals across the country -- are in critical condition.  He hoped that the bodies of the Bangladeshi nationals would be returned as soon as possible.  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the horrific bus crash that killed around 24 omrah hajj pilgrims and injured around 23 people in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia on Monday. In a condolence message, she prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed souls and quick recovery of the injured persons. She asked the Foreign Ministry officials and the Saudi Mission personnel to take necessary actions for recovering the bodies of Bangladeshi nationals and ensure proper treatment for the injured.  

Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral document on ‘Route to Mecca’ which will ease  visit of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to the kingdom. Under Route to Mecca service agreement, Hajis (Pilgrims) would be able to complete their immigration in Dhaka prior to their departure to Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh is the first country with whom Saudi Arabia has signed Route to Mecca service agreement considering "excellent relations" between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, said the government. Another MoU on secirtuy cooperation was also singed between the two countries. Read more: Joint working group to resolve passport renewal issues of Bangladeshis living in Saudi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan briefed reporters after a meeting with visiting Deputy Minister of Interior of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood  at the Home Ministry on Sunday. Security cooperation includes capacity building, skills development and exchange of visits between members of the security forces. The Home Minister said earlier Bangladeshis had to wait in long queues for the immigration process to go to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj. But from now, the immigration process for going to KSA for Hajj will be completed in Dhaka due to signing ‘Route to Mecca’ MOU . About Rohingya issue, the Home Minister said that about three lakh Rohingyas are staying in Saudi Arabia and many of them have Bangladeshi passports. “The Saudi government wanted the renewal of their passports. We have given them assurance to consider the issue.  Besides, we also sought the cooperation of the Saudi government to send the Rohingyas back to Myanmar,” he said. Read more: Saudi Arabia assures assistance in commercial supply of LNG to Bangladesh

Three more Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia's Mecca in four days till Monday , according to Bangladesh Hajj Management Portal. The deceased were Tapan Khandoker, 62, from Dhaka, Layla Aktar, 52, from Madaripur, and Md Khaybar Hossain, 55, from Rangpur. Khaybar Hossain died on Sunday while Tapan and Layla died on Friday in Mecca, according to portal. Read: 2,415 more Bangladeshis can perform Hajj this year The causes of their deaths could not be immediately determined, it added. Twelve Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims, including four women, died in Saudi Arabia from June 11 to July 3 this year. This year, some 60,256 Bangladeshis will perform hajj that will start on July 6.